OOCL PREPARES TO LAUNCH ONLINE PORTAL

OOCL PREPARES TO LAUNCH ONLINE PORTAL    Orient Overseas Container Line said it will formally launch CargoSmart, an Internet shipping portal, early next year, following tests with customers.
   As a company wholly owned by OOCL, CargoSmart will offer cargo booking, tracking and tracing, bill of lading production, payment transaction and “partnership relationship management,” OOCL said.
   CargoSmart is a neutral tool that “has the ability to be made available to other partner carriers and their business associates,” a spokesman for the company said.
   OOCL’s e-commerce move follows last week’s announcement of the INTTRA portal by Maersk Sealand, P&O Nedlloyd, Hamburg-Sud, Mediterranean Shipping Co. and CMA CGM.
   OOCL considers CargoSmart to be an alternative to INTTRA.
   The Hong Kong-based shipping group first mentioned the introduction of CargoSmart in August. It said the portal will provide cost efficiencies to both carriers and customers and improve supply chain management.